Is Recycled Polyester (rPET) Vegan? Material Facts & Alternatives

Vegan status: Vegan

Also known as: rPET, Recycled PET, Recycled plastic fabric, Post-consumer recycled polyester

Origin

Synthetic — produced by mechanically or chemically recycling post-consumer PET plastic (primarily plastic bottles and textiles) into polyester fibre.

Environmental impact

Rating: medium. Uses approximately 30-50% less energy to produce than virgin polyester. Diverts plastic waste from landfill and ocean. However, like all synthetic fabrics, it sheds microplastic fibres during washing. A Guppyfriend laundry bag or microfibre filter can significantly reduce microplastic shedding.

Durability

Excellent. Same performance characteristics as virgin polyester — durable, moisture-wicking, quick-drying.

Common uses

Activewear, fleece jackets, outdoor gear, swimwear, bags.

Notes

Used extensively by brands like Patagonia, Adidas, H&M, and Tentree. The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certifies the recycled content and chain of custody. Recycled polyester is a good choice for performance applications where natural fibres are not suitable, particularly when combined with a microplastic filter.